Nuggets & NBA

Ty Lawson's return revives Nuggets' offensive punch, optimism

Apparently, the weight of six consecutive losses was so heavy on the backs of the Nuggets that Thursday's practice, after the team's streak-busting victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night, felt like a victory lap.

"Obviously, everybody was in a better mood because we won," said coach Brian Shaw.

Then he grinned.

"But it was also like we won 17 in a row," he said. "That part I didn't particularly care too much for."

And so it goes with a young team.

The question the Nuggets will attempt to answer Friday at the Pepsi Center against the Los Angeles Lakers is: Was the win over Dallas an anomaly or a sign of things to come?

Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson is fouled by Shawn Marion of the Dallas Mavericks in the first quarter Wednesday night at the Pepsi Center. (Steve Nehf, The Denver Post)

"When you had a person like Ty (Lawson) go down (with a fractured rib), I think it just deflated the team," Wilson Chandler said. "I don't think it was from the standpoint of nobody playing hard. We were just kind of lost as a team.

"When he came back, it kind of gave us that extra energy to have that floor general back. Definitely want to keep building from the last two games."

J.J. Hickson agreed.

"It's only one win," Hickson said, "but I'll take it. Hopefully, we can build on it and finish out the season strong."

Offensive production has taken a huge leap forward since Lawson's return two games ago. The Nuggets are averaging 121.5 points and shooting 50 percent, including 40.4 percent on 3-point attempts.

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Chandler has helped fuel the Nuggets' revival. He has averaged 23 points in the past two games — well above his season average of 14.2 points — and is shooting more.

"He's playing the small forward position. That's a point-producing position on every team," Shaw said. "You're expected to get points out of that position. And you can't get points if you don't shoot the ball, if you're not aggressive and you're not trying to score.

"Some games, he doesn't get himself involved. But when he does, he can be very effective for us. I like that he's putting up that amount of shots — as long as they are good shots."

The Nuggets hope to run a Lakers team that recently has played a chunk of games in a short span.

"We want everybody to be as strong and as energetic as they can possibly be," Shaw said.

L.A. LAKERS AT DENVER

7 p.m. Friday, ALT; 950 AM

Spotlight on Pau Gasol: This could be the last time anyone around here sees Gasol wearing a Lakers uniform. Gasol, who is averaging a double-double at age 33, will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. He says he will choose the team he plays for next season based on its ability to win a championship.

NOTEBOOK

Lakers: This is the second game in a back-to-back set for the Lakers. They played the Clippers on Thursday night. ... The Lakers are without injured stars Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash. Both likely will miss the remainder of the season.

Nuggets: Ty Lawson (heel) is expected to be ready for Friday's game. He has averaged 25.5 points and nine assists in the two games he has played since returning from a fractured rib. ... Wilson Chandler has averaged 23 points and nine rebounds the past two games. He's also averaged 19.5 shots, seven more attempts than his season average of 12.3.

Christopher Dempsey, The Denver Post

Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson (3) flexes his muscles after making a basket driving to the hoop against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the third quarter Jan. 9, 2014 at Pepsi Center. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

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